BARTLETT, OR WILLIAMS' BON CHRETIEN PEAR. 



Williams' Bon CHRE''riEN. Trans. Lon. Hort Soc, vol. ii. pi. xvi. 



Bartlett, of all American Collections. 

 William, of some French Collections. 



This large and superb pear, now universally 

 known under the name of Bartlett, in all American 

 collections, is one of the most popular, admired 

 and generally- cultivated varieties, possessing, in an 

 eminent degree, a combination of excellences which 

 can scarcely be found in any other pear. In size 

 it is among the largest, in appearance among the 

 most beautiful, and in quality among the best of 

 its season ; and, when to merits such as these are 

 added a free growing and vigorous tree, an upright 

 and handsome habit, an early and abundant bearer; 

 in all seasons and all soils a fair and perfect fruit, ripening freely when 

 gathered early, and keeping w^ell, it must be admitted that it ranks 

 among the very best varieties for general cultivation. 



The Bartlett was first described, as above quoted, under the name 

 of Wihiams' Bon Chretien, its proper and legitimate title, and one 

 which it ought to retain. But the name of Bartlett has become so 

 generally diffused, that it has supplanted the former, and it must 

 henceforth be generally known, — at least in this country, — as the Bart- 

 lett. It originated in Berkshire, England, about sixty years ago ; but 

 grafts of it were subsequently obtained by Mr. Williams, a nurseryman 

 near London, who first introduced it to notice. It was first introduced 

 to this country in the year 1799, when Mr. James Carter, of Boston, 

 purchased a few trees in London, for Mr. Thomas Brewer, of Rox- 

 bury, Mass. The estate subsequently passed into the possession of E. 

 Bartlett, Esq., after whom it was named. 



The tree grows freely upon the quince, and produces great crops ; it 

 is, however, so early and abundant a bearer upon the pear stock, that 

 there is but little necessity for growing it upon the quince. Young 

 trees in the nursery rows frequently bear the second year. 



Tree. — ^A^igorous, upright, very regular until it begins to bear, when 

 the branches become somewhat pendulous and irregular ; annual shoots, 

 strong, stout, curved inwards at the ends. 



Wood. — Clear dark yellow, dotted with small, pale gray specks ; old 

 wood, dull brownish yellow; buds, medium size, little pointed, flattened, 

 with prominent shoulders : Flower-buds, medium size, obovate, obtuse. 



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